Study organization

At the beginning of your studies, especially the creation of your timetable can seem a bit complicated at first. Finding the right courses is sometimes not that easy. Here: Your module handbook and a sample timetable show you which module is planned for which semester, which types of courses and how many hours per week belong to it. Some modules extend over several semesters. With this information, you can enroll in the corresponding courses through HisPos in the course catalog. 

To help you find your way around at the beginning of your studies and to know which courses you can best take and when, a sample timetable will help you. It is important to note, however, that you are allowed to take more courses than indicated on the schedule and that you can also attend seminars that are already in the 2nd or 3rd semester - you just have to check the MPO and see if you already fulfill the requirements for the respective seminar. And when creating your timetable, keep in mind how many exams this will mean at the end of the semester - you might want to swap a seminar with a written exam for one where you only need one piece of course work .

You create your own timetable in the so-called HisPos, where your studies are managed. You log in with your university account and find the respective modules with this year's assigned events via the event directory. By clicking on the title of the seminars or lectures, you will find a short description of who the seminar is intended for and when it will take place. You will also find the registration period!

For most German courses this is done via the Prios system. On the start page (after you have logged in), select "Priority courses" in the sidebar, go to "Priority courses in my program", select the subject German Studies, and look for the module in which the course you want to take is located. There you will see the individual course titles and can now assign priorities. Here you should consciously decide which one is most important to you and set priorities according to that. You don't have to assign all three priorities - sometimes your first place is assigned because another seminar fits in with your schedule, but that doesn't have to be the case. Basically, this allocation is done according to the number of semesters. For further and more descriptive help, please have a look at this guide.

With the help of the timetable function in HisPos you can also add the individual courses of your choice to an online timetable and have a direct overview of which courses you want to take in the next semester and for which you have already registered. This function is highly recommended, then you can check when and where your courses will take place throughout the semester.

First of all, there is a move-up procedure in which vacant places can be reoccupied. You can find all information about this in the course catalog. However, if you still do not get a place, we recommend that you simply drop by the seminar and ask the lecturer if you can still get a place. 

Every student has probably heard this side blow at some point, and we'll just assume that you won't be spared from it either. But is that a reason to turn red right away? To quote from Shakespeare's Hamlet, Act 3, Scene 6, Verse 23: "No.". Rather, this - admittedly provocative - question at the latest should motivate you to think about how you can use your internship wisely to find out exactly that. Because yes, the German studies program is not just dry theory, but also has a bit more to offer. 

According to the module examination regulations (§ 10: Internship), part of the Bachelor's program in German Studies at the University of Kassel is an internship of at least eight weeks in Germany or abroad. The eight weeks do not have to be completed in one go, but experience has shown that this makes sense, as it takes time until you have really settled in at the internship site and can finally take on responsibility and work independently. First of all, any institution that can be related to German Studies in any way is suitable as an internship place. You can find out whether this is the case by talking to your mentor, who you can find out from the Institute for German Studies by giving your name and matriculation number - this can be done very quickly and even by e-mail. 

At this point, it is good to know that a study stay at a university abroad or a previously completed training that is related to the course of study can also be counted as an internship.
To make sure everything goes smoothly, there are a few things you need to keep in mind before and after the internship.

Before the internship there is a lot of organization and paperwork to deal with. The largest item is the search for a suitable internship position and the associated application process. Once this is done, there is nothing standing in your way except for an important form: The registration for the mandatory internship has to be signed by your mentor and submitted to the internship coordination of the department 02. If your internship institution requires a notification of your enrollment or your compulsory internship, you can obtain this from the Internship Coordination or the Examination Office.

After the internship you need a confirmation of your internship employer and have to write an internship report within 12 weeks. The corresponding forms and formalities can be found here. Both have to be submitted to the examination coordinator and will not be graded. If everything is done on time and according to the requirements, your internship is considered passed. You will receive 12 credits and have cleared one hurdle on the way to admission to the bachelor thesis. And, ideally, you've also gained experience for life.

The secret is to turn the obligation into a freestyle. If you have to do an internship, then use it to take something away from it for your life and your professional future. It's possible, but it won't happen on its own. The keywords you should keep in mind are simple: organization, motivation, self-confidence. If you keep these points in mind, the perfect internship is not witchcraft and is within your reach.

Organization is the key to success. Nowadays, the offer is so big and confusing that it can take a while to really get through. There are many ways to look for an internship, and many more companies and institutions that offer one. That's why you should start by organizing your own thoughts and interests, and then organize your approach in the next step. Think about when, where and how long you want to do your internship. Ask yourself what interests you and what it will serve you. Once you are clear about all this, you can start your search. It can help to simply go through life with your eyes and ears open, so that you can also take notice of notices, newspaper advertisements and good tips from fellow students. You'll be a real pro if you stay organized during your internship: The more notes you take about your experiences in your new work environment, the less work you'll end up doing when writing your internship report. You know best if you haven't done it yourself.

Motivation keeps you from just giving up. The application process can be tough and nerve-wracking. It is possible that you will be accepted directly by the first company, but this is not necessarily the rule. The more applications you write, the better your chances. And if you do get rejected, it's even more important to stay motivated. After all, it's not your life that depends on this internship. And if that doesn't help, others have made it before you. Know your worth and have:

Self-confidence, because that's the only way you can stand out from the crowd. If there is an internship position that you really want, make sure that this is clear in your cover letter and make it clear to the company why you are the right person for the job. If the position is not advertised, then try a speculative application. Often, job postings are peppered with requirements that make you despair. For example, how are you supposed to get an internship if the companies state that you have already completed an internship as a prerequisite for an internship? The answer is simple: by trying anyway. It may take a little effort, but it pays off in the end. And even in an internship, self-confidence is the key to not ending up as a coffee maker. 

As part of the practical training, you will complete a practical semester during your studies. This takes place as part of the educational science core studies and in the subjects German and mathematics and consists of a preparatory seminar, a school internship with accompanying seminar and a follow-up seminar. In addition, three accompanying events take place. 

In order to be able to register for the internship semester, the successful completion of module 1 in the core studies as well as the successful participation in the seminar on basic personal skills are required. In order to meet these requirements, it is recommended that you complete the practical semester from the third semester onwards. 

The practical semester extends over a complete semester. The preparatory seminars take place during the lecture-free period before the semester begins. The school internship then begins with a five-week compact phase and is then continued as a semester-long phase. The accompanying seminars take place parallel to the school internship and extend over the entire lecture period, as do the accompanying events. 

Information about the respective registration deadlines during the semester can be obtained from the Department for Practical School Studies. This department is also responsible for the distribution of internship places, seminars and the assignment of your internship school. 

You can get further information here.

The practical school studies Ⅰ are part of the core studies in education and social sciences and comprise a practical-oriented overview of the subjects. These are composed of a preparatory seminar, a school internship and a follow-up seminar. It is also possible to complete SPS Ⅰ in combination with SPS Ⅱ as an intensive internship. 

In order to register for the internship, you must have successfully completed Module 1b in the Education and Social Sciences Core Program. In addition, successful participation in the seminar on personal basic competencies is a prerequisite. 

The internship takes place during the lecture-free period and is usually completed in the third semester. The preparatory seminar already takes place in the semester before the school internship. The school internship itself lasts five weeks and comprises at least 100 hours. The follow-up seminar is a block event lasting several days following the school internship. 

The Department for Practical School Studies is responsible for assigning the internship school as well as the seminars. The registration is also done via the homepage of the department. On the homepage you will also find all information about the registration deadlines. 

In order to be admitted to the School Practical Studies Ⅱ, there are three requirements: completion of the SPS Ⅰ, proper registration and participation in all preliminary meetings. This is the only way you will be eligible for an internship. 

In order for you to meet these requirements, it is recommended that you complete the internship beginning in your third semester. Since in some semesters there are more applications than internship places, it may happen that you are not assigned a place. However, in this case an internship place will be reserved for you for the next semester, for which you still have to register again. This is only for formal reasons, but it is very important.

In any case, you have to register via the Department for Practical School Studies or via the HisPos portal. Information about the registration deadlines for the respective semester can be found on the homepage of the Department for Practical School Studies. 

After your registration you will receive first information about the first preliminary meeting. Participation in this meeting is a prerequisite for your internship. The second preliminary meeting will take place during the next semester break. During this meeting you will receive all important information about your internship school, your mentor and your university supervisor. It is important that you attend this second appointment, as non-attendance can lead to an internship suspension for one semester. 

The practical school studies Ⅱ take place during the semester and are based on the Hessian vacations. Accordingly, in the summer semester, the internship takes place between the Easter and summer vacations. In the winter semester it takes place between the fall vacations and the end of the semester. 

Usually two or three students are assigned to a school or a class. In the first step you will observe in this German class and in the course of the internship you will take over the planning as well as the implementation of several lessons. This is also possible in team teaching. The amount of work varies greatly depending on the type of school and grade level. As a rule, there are three to five hours of teaching per week. 

Accompanying the school internship you will attend a seminar of your university supervisor of the internship. The Department for Practical School Studies is looking for schools and mentors and tries to find schools in Kassel or the surrounding area. 

You can get more information here.

The Master of German Studies is characterized by the option of a double degree. There are also numerous partner universities where students can study for a semester. In order for everything to go smoothly, it makes sense to start looking into the subject as early as possible.

What is special about the master's degree? You can complete it binationally. This means that you spend one part of your studies in Kassel and one in Szeged, Hungary. At the end, you will receive a double degree - i.e. a diploma from both universities. The choice of a binational master's degree also has an effect on the modules: there are extra language courses and regional studies. This way you will be perfectly prepared for your stay abroad. Please have a look at the page of the study program, there you will find all the information.

Of course, the Master can also be studied without a double degree. Nevertheless, there is the possibility to go abroad. There are many possibilities to organize your stay abroad. If you don't have any experience in this area, it's best to go to the International Office and ask for advice. In principle, you can go to all partner universities of Department 2 - however, you only have priority at your institute. This means that you might be rejected for a place if you apply to another institute. The International Office offers an overview of the cooperations, there you will also find the contact persons.

It is especially important that you take care of your stay abroad as early as possible. Theoretically, the Master's program only lasts four semesters, but the third semester is particularly suitable for the time spent at another university. Start asking about everything in your first semester. The bureaucracy takes its time and it would be a shame to miss such a great opportunity because you missed some deadlines.